JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Ronda L. Cortesini, of Waynesville, as Pulaski County Associate Circuit Judge on Monday.

The position became available upon the appointment by Gov. Nixon of the Honorable Greg Warren as Circuit Judge for the 25th Circuit, which includes Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Texas counties.

Cortesini is an attorney with the St. Robert law firm of Smith & Turley and represents clients in civil and criminal litigation. She has been in private practice in Pulaski County since 2003. Cortesini is president of the Pulaski County Bar Association, and a past president of the Waynesville/St. Robert Chamber of Commerce. She also has served as a board member of the Waynesville Community Foundation and of Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County.

After earning her law degree from the South Texas College of Law, Cortesini was in private practice in Austin, Texas, and then served as a Texas assistant attorney general from 1994 to 2001. A veteran of the U.S. Army, she also was an assistant staff judge advocate for the Texas Army National Guard.

"I am pleased to appoint Ronda Cortesini to the bench in Pulaski County," Gov. Nixon said. "She has experience in both civil and criminal cases, and in public and private practice. That experience will help her in serving the citizens of this county as their new judge."